Gathering of Nations Powwow

People from tribes across North American descend each year upon Albuquerque for the Gathering of Nations, a cultural celebration of amazing scale. Considering the conflict first peoples have endured and continue to endure, the expression of culture feels overwhelming, a linking of the past with the present.

There are singing and dancing contests and a weekend-long flow of musical acts. Grand Entry on Saturday night marks the communal dance of everyone participating. In this clip, the elder Eagle Bonnet Dancers follow Jeremiah Holyboom, who leads.

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Within a short time, thousands of dancers flow into the arena in full dress, some wearing grizzly bear claws. In the middle of the dancers are a half-dozen drum circles, playing in unison.

[wpvideo PpQj7V3q] Watch the woman in red and yellow in the Women's Fancy Shawl dance contest.[wpvideo hRcSCpXs] For a slightly better view: this clip is from the Chinle AZ powwow last year on the Navajo Nation. There were two competitors in the Women's Elderly Dancers division.[wpvideo 2mw4J5FH]